Georgia Southern hires Chad Lunsford as head coach

Chad Lunsford is getting to keep his job as Georgia Southern’s head coach.

Lunsford, who was named the team’s interim coach in October, was announced as the team’s permanent head coach Monday.

“The search committee went through an extensive process and evaluated a number of candidates nationwide,” Georgia Southern athletic director Tom Kleinlein said in a statement. “In the end, it was hard to ignore the progress the team has made under Coach Lunsford both on and off the field. I’ve also had the opportunity to watch Chad go through three other transitions in my time here and have seen him develop professionally during that span. On behalf of the search committee, we’re thrilled to announce Chad Lunsford as our full-time head coach and look forward to seeing where he will take his program.”

Lunsford took over after Georgia Southern fired coach Tyson Summers in October. The Eagles have won two-straight games after losing their first nine of the season. Georgia Southern finishes its season Saturday with a game vs. Coastal Carolina.

“This is just so humbling, and I’m honored to be able to take over as the head coach of Georgia Southern football,” Lunsford said. “I want to thank the Lord for this opportunity. I’m very blessed to be in this position because Georgia Southern is a very special place to my family and me. I’m looking forward to being the head football coach here and carrying on the great tradition of Eagle Football. We have a lot of things to do in the coming weeks, but for now, it’s back to work to get ready to play Coastal Carolina this Saturday as the head coach of Georgia Southern.”

Summers took over the program after Willie Fritz left to be the coach of Tulane following the 2015 season. Georgia Southern was 0-6 when he was fired.